Hail History

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Hail history for French Island, WI

Last hail within 10 milesAug 18, 20261 in (quarter)
Hail days, last 12 months3
Largest hail since 20063 in (tea cup)Jul 28, 2023
Hail days since 200643
Days with hail 1 inch or larger30
Tornadoes within 10 miles6
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles189

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of French Island on 43 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3 in (tea cup) on Jul 28, 2023. Hail is most common here in June and July.

Recent hail near French Island

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Aug 18, 20261.25 in
half dollar		Onalaska, Holmen
3 hail reports · closest 3 mi from French Island		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 10, 20261.5 in
ping pong ball		New Amsterdam, Lytle, Midway
3 hail reports · closest 6 mi from French Island		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 5, 20261 in
quarter		Onalaska
1 hail report · closest 2 mi from French Island		NOAA Storm Events

One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.

Hail days near French Island by year

061073080951021121231321421511631711821942042112222322425326

When hail season peaks near French Island

Of the 43 hail days since 2006, most fell in June (12) and July (9).

JanFeb2Mar4Apr4May12Jun9Jul6Aug5SepOctNov1Dec

Largest hail storms near French Island

Apr 10, 2011 · 3 in (tea cup) · Hokah (8 mi from French Island)

National Weather Service description (English): Hundreds of homes received roof and siding damage as well as broken windows on the south side of La Crosse. Wal Mart department store reported approximately 20 sky lights broken. Hundreds of cars were also damaged with dents and broken windows and mirrors. There were several thousand claims made to major insurance companies in and around the La Crosse area.

Jul 28, 2023 · 3 in (tea cup) · West Salem (9 mi from French Island)

National Weather Service description (English): Public reported tea cup sized hail near West Salem via picture.

Jun 7, 2007 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · West Salem (9 mi from French Island)

Jul 25, 2013 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · West La Crosse (0 mi from French Island)

National Weather Service description (English): Large hail with a diameter of 2.5 inches fell just north of Interstate 90 on French Island.

Jun 2, 2020 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · New Amsterdam (10 mi from French Island)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter fell in New Amsterdam.

Tornadoes within 10 miles of French Island

DateRatingWherePath
Jun 25, 2025EF1Barre Mills
8 mi from French Island		5.1 mi long, 130 yd wide
Jun 25, 2025EF0Barre Mills
8 mi from French Island		1.1 mi long, 60 yd wide
Jul 23, 2022EF0Medary
4 mi from French Island		2.5 mi long, 40 yd wide
Mar 6, 2017EF1West Salem Airport
7 mi from French Island		2.6 mi long, 200 yd wide
May 22, 2011EF2La Crosse
5 mi from French Island		3.4 mi long, 125 yd wide
Jun 7, 2008EF1Barre Mills
9 mi from French Island		6.0 mi long, 200 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near French Island

189 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of French Island since 2006, on 75 days. The strongest measured gust was 87 mph on May 22, 2011.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Sep 2, 202657 mph, measuredHolmen
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 18, 202667 mph, measuredFrench Island, West Salem
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 10, 202658 mph, estimatedOnalaska
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 29, 202566 mph, measuredLa Crosse Muni, Herrington, West La Crosse
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 25, 202569 mph, estimatedHokah
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 13, 202469 mph, estimatedOnalaska, La Crosse Muni, Holmen
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 5, 202458 mph, measuredLa Crosse Muni
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
May 21, 202463 mph, measuredOnalaska, La Crosse Muni, West La Crosse
5 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Aug 11, 202368 mph, measuredLa Crosse Muni, Onalaska, La Crosse
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 28, 202364 mph, measuredOnalaska, West Salem
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events

Severe thunderstorm wind means gusts of 58 mph or more, or wind that caused damage. Measured gusts come from weather stations; estimated ones from spotters and damage surveys.

Filing a roof or car hail claim?

Insurers ask for the date of loss. The dates on this page are when hail was reported near French Island; hail can hit one street and miss the next, so a report is not proof of damage at your address. A licensed roofer or your insurance adjuster can inspect the roof. Many policies set a time limit for filing a claim — check yours.

Nearby cities

Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then). Distances are measured from the center of French Island.

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